Milton HIgh Resource Officer Tops in Fulton

Ron Willhite of Milton High School has been named the Fulton County School District's 2013-2014 School Professional of the Year.

Patricia Caffrey of the Professional Learning Center South has been selected as the district’s and Support Professional of the Year.

Every spring, each Fulton County school and administrative building selects an employee – other than a teacher – who has made a positive impact on students and contributed to the school or department’s overall success. From these, one finalist is announced from each of Fulton’s geographic Learning Communities – Northeast, Northwest, Central and South – as well as from the district’s central support centers. Overall, the school system selects one School Professional of the Year along with one Support Professional of the Year. 

Ron Willhite, a school resource officer at Milton High School, puts his students’ needs above his own.

“I desire the Milton High School cluster schools to be the safest schools in the state,” he says. “I meet with administration, teachers and staff daily to help address any concerns they may have and try to make myself available for any events, activities or special projects,” he said.

This dedication to service is what makes Officer Willhite an exemplary employee, according to Cliff Jones, Milton High principal.

“Ron is skillful and highly analytical when approaching the never-ending challenges of keeping our school safe,” Jones said. “Not easily flustered, he displays a calm and confident manner while working through problems with students and families. He is very good at performing triage in setting his work schedule by addressing problems that impact learning and teaching as the highest priority while balancing his other responsibilities.”

But Willhite doesn’t take the spotlight easily – he wants to share it. “I am surrounding by an exceptional staff at Milton High School. Each one goes beyond their ‘job description’ to serve the school, students and staff. They give out of their own time and resources to make Milton what it is. Many are worthy of this."

2013-2014 Professionals of the Year

Elementary Schools – Professional Of The Year

• Alpharetta – Ann Schaub
• Birmingham Falls – Shareen Fripp
• Cogburn Woods – Michelle Patel
• Crabapple Crossing – Wanza Malcom
• Creek View – Tanoni Houston
• Lake Windward – Yvonne Bogle
• Manning Oaks – Christine Cicholski
• New Prospect – Linda Miranda
• Summit Hill – Jane Sonnenfeldt

Middle Schools – Professional Of The Year

• Haynes Bridge – Gena Tatum
• Hopewell – Alicia Pruitt
• Northwestern – Laurie Fuller  
• Webb Bridge – Anthony Douglas

High Schools – Professional Of The Year

• Alpharetta – Jimmy Marshall
• Cambridge – Liz Pyke
• Independence – Ellen Johns
• Milton – Ron Willhite – Overall School Professional of the Year

Support Buildings – Professional Of The Year

• Administrative Center – Nenette Davenport
• Jo Wells Center  – Margaret Csonka
• North Maintenance  – Jose Garmon
• South Maintenance  – James Brooks
• Professional Learning Center  – Patricia Caffrey – Overall Support Professional of the Year
• The Meadows Operational Center – Carol Young
• Transportation – Darlene Cook
• Warehouse  – LaQuita Searcy